Amidst this orgy of naked self-publicity, may I draw your attention to a film I've made for BBC4, which is broadcast on BBC4 on Sunday March 28th...
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Paul Merton's Weird and Wonderful World of Early Cinema', tells the story of the first 23 years of European film. We chiefly focus on the English and French contributions to the development of this new medium. We look at the world's first screen comedians and also show you frankly startling footage of a giant dancing pig.
I hope you like it.
I chose the film's title knowing that in most TV listings it would be shortened to 'Paul Merton's Weird'….I was reminded of this frankly potty decision while recently searching for some music to listen to via a hotel room television set. Pink Floyd's 'Dark side of the Moon' was drastically shortened to 'Pink Floyd's Dark Sid'. And if you know anything of the band's early history and the unfortunate Syd Barrett the abbreviation strikes a somber note.
While I've got you there I'm sometimes in the habit of watching television with the sound turned down. I was mightily disturbed the other week whole watching the 6 O'Clock news to see my face in a big close-up held on the screen for several seconds. Sitting on the sofa gawping at my mute portrait I experienced a momentary state of mortality. And I didn't like it one bit.
Checking the story with the sound turned up didn't make it any better. I was on the cover of Reader's Digest and the magazine was the story rather than me. Reader's Digest were in financial trouble but only in Britain. Not throughout the rest of the world. So published in this country since 1938 everything was tickety-boo until they put my image on the cover. I drew the obvious inference. My face makes you bankrupt.
Paul Merton's Weird & Wonderful World
of Early Cinema : BBC4
